Latest news with #Democratics
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Group in opposition to ‘Fighting Oligarchy' Bakersfield event rallies outside arena
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — On Tuesday, April 15, two major American political figures stopped by Bakersfield gathering a crowd of more than 4 thousand including Republican voters who called the progressive duos rally a 'Bakersfield Block Party.' Kern County Trump supporters gathered in protest on Truxtun Avenue across from the convention center and Bernie Sander's and AOC's 'Fighting Oligarchy' rally. RELATED: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. AOC take on Bakersfield, push to unseat incumbent Congressman David Valadao 'I'm here because I support our great president. I support what he's doing. He's got the courage to do what nobody else has done. And I believe in standing up against liars and that's what we've got over here. God Bless America.' Dressed in MAGA gear and waving American flags to show their support of President Trump, attendees voiced one particular concern, that Sanders and AOC were bussing in out-of-town supporters to inflate rally attendance. This as Sanders, Cortez and other prominent local Democratics sharply criticized the president's policies. For more information, watch the full segment in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Another political deja vu: Rep. David Valadao, Rudy Salas file paperwork to run for Congress in 2026
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 17 News has confirmed Republican Congressman David Valadao — the incumbent of the 22nd Congressional District — and former Democratic California Assemblyman Rudy Salas have filed paperwork to run in the 2026 Midterm election. Both Valadao and Salas have filed their statement of candidacy — an intention to run for office — with the Federal Elections Commission. At a Democratic townhall in Bakersfield Thursday evening, Salas told 17 News that he is not ruling out a 2026 run. It all depends on if local, state and D.C. Democratics once again rally behind Salas as their candidate. If Salas officially enters the race come the June 2026 primary, it will be the third faceoff between him and Valadao. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gearing up for the 2026 Midterm election: Battle over healthcare cuts becomes partisan
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Democratics and Republicans alike are already gearing up for the 2026 Midterm election. At a townhall at Bakersfield's IBEW Local 428 union hall Thursday night, Democratics discussed possible pathways to future victory, following major local and national losses in 2024. Kern County Republicans face their own troubles — especially Congressman David Valadao. Two days in a row, constituents rallied outside his Bakersfield district office to protest potential cuts to programs like Medicare and Medicaid. KCSO lieutenant caused 2 crashes on Sunday, allegedly driving under the influence 'Show me what America looks like, this is what America looks like,' protesters chanted Wednesday evening. And on Thursday morning, nurses with Bakersfield's Memorial Hospital chanted, 'When our healthcare is under attack, stand up and fight back.' '[We're here] to demand that he votes no on the current federal budget in the House of Representatives. And votes no to any cuts to Medicaid…' said Noe Garcia, policy coordinator with the Dolores Huerta Foundation. These concerns stem from House Republicans' budget blueprint approved in February, for which Valadao voted. In this blueprint, Republicans say they want to cut $880 billion from programs managed by Congress' Energy and Commerce Committee. But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said such a massive cut likely cannot happen without cutting Medicaid, Medicare and other programs. These cuts are up in the air. Nothing is finalized, and Congress and President Trump just passed a temporary spending bill to keep the government open and funded through the end of September. But again, voters are concerned that in the future when budget conversations pick up again, there is an opportunity for those entitlement cuts. 'We need people to be able to get their insulin, to take care of their chronic illnesses and see their doctors on a regular basis,' said Sandy Reding, a nurse at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital. Reding added, 'It's oftentimes the working poor, the disabled, the children [that are affected].' 'Valadao, you represent the largest number of people in California that are on Medicaid, food stamps, disability programs, education programs,' said local activist Dolores Huerta. Medicare provides health care to seniors. Medicaid assists low-income and disabled people. Valadao has declined all interview requests since early this month but said in a statement: 'I know how important Medicaid is to Central Valley families, and I remain committed to ensuring they have access to affordable healthcare,' said Congressman Valadao. 'There has been a lot of political rhetoric about cuts to Medicaid, but the reality is no such cuts have been made. As Congress continues to work through the budget process, I have been clear with House Leadership that I will only support a final package that protects critical programs like Medicaid and meets the needs of our community. My priority remains standing up for Central Valley families and making sure they can get the care they need.' Huerta added, 'Republicans, independent voters, Democrats, people that don't vote, everybody's going to be impacted by these tax cuts.' So, what are political implications as the 2026 Midterm — and yet another reelection bid for Valadao — fast approaches? 'He's in a tough spot. He's always in a tough spot, though,' said Central Valley political analyst Tracy Leach. 'Throughout his tenure, he is a Republican in a very Democrat district.' 17 News also spoke to Central Valley political strategist Tal Eslick. 17 News' Jenny Huh: 'Do you think that can actually threaten his reelection bid? Tal Eslick: 'So, when voters ultimately make the decision as to whether or not they're going to reward an elected official with reelection, it's usually not one specific thing. Maybe it's a couple of things [that impact their vote]… Valadao is probably the only Republican that can consistently win in this particular seat.' The five-term congressman has walked a fine line as a moderate Republican, winning in the majority Latino, largely Democratic district, beating Latino candidates like former California Assemblyman Rudy Salas. Never miss a story: Make your homepage His 22nd Congressional District is a competitive purple district — Democrats and Republicans have a fair shot. 'But healthcare is an Achilles for him,' Leach noted. 'In the past, it was healthcare, arguably, that was his undoing in 2018 to repeal and replace Obamacare. He voted for that.' That was the one year thus far Valadao lost his reelection bid. Constituents encouraged Valadao if wants reelection in 2026.'Under those pressures of Washington D.C. and the current Administration, stand firm, stand strong,' stated Grace Huerta, co-director of Kern Exceptional Family Center. 'Valadao's district, two thirds of the people are on Medicaid, the residents,' Leach remarked. 'That is a huge number. So, he has to somehow navigate that with his party in D.C. but not let down his own constituents here in the Central Valley.' Strategist Eslick noted, 'The specificity of these cuts does not exist yet, right? So, everything that we're talking about so far is mostly rhetoric… Congressional Democrats are using this as a bludgeon against anyone in a competitive seat.' All eyes are on Valadao — whether it be his constituents, or his party, with the potential President Trump can put up a Republican primary opponent against the congressman. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elizabeth Warren Blasts 'Co-Presidents' Donald Trump & Elon Musk, Defends Dems' Response As GOP 'Bends The Knee'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) blasted Marco Rubio as well as 'co-Presidents' Donald Trump and Elon Musk as she defended the haphazard response of Democratics at Trump's address last week during a SXSW live taping of podcast On With Kara Swisher. Musk is close to Trump and oversees the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. More from Deadline 'Real Time's Bill Maher Takes Swipe At Taylor Swift & Makes Her The Punchline Of Donald Trump Joke Donald Trump Appoints Fox News' Maria Bartiromo And Laura Ingraham To Kennedy Center Board Kennedy Center Confirms More Than 20 Show Cancellations Or Postponements Since Donald Trump's Takeover Warren likes to talk and does it well but, rather ominously, there was one question she declined to answer. 'Are you yourself scared of personal retribution?' Swisher asked. 'I mean, it's all fun and games with your name and stuff like that, but you yourself, you just answered a question about troops attacking Americans. Are you yourself fearful of your safety? 'Do you know the hardest part about the question you just asked is I don't want to publicly answer that question. That is the first question I've had that I just don't want to talk about,' Warren said. Swisher was referring to Trump's derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night. Warren's had also responded to a query from the audience asking if she thinks Trump would use troops against civilians if there were large scale protests. 'I don't know,' she said. Swisher called the Democrats' response to Trump's speech Tuesday 'unfortunate.' 'Some of the members of Congress boycotted, but he couldn't really tell they were missing,' the host said. 'Congressman Al Green heckled and was escorted out of the chamber. Some Congresswomen wore pink. People held up signs that said, Save Medicaid, Musk Steals, False. There was some stony silence that seemed to annoy Trump. I felt it was not an effective protest.' Warren acknowledged room for improvement but defended her party and said criticism should be aimed squarely at the GOP 'It's the Republicans who are right now empowering Donald Trump, and they need to answer for it. It is the Republicans who are empowering Elon Musk. It is the Republicans who are evidently going along with a president or two co-presidents, who are not following the law, not following the Constitution, and going out of their ways to hurt the most vulnerable people in this country. Republicans need to be called out, and Democrats are increasingly doing that. Are we doing it enough? No. Are we doing it loudly enough? No. Have we done it as effectively as we need to? No. But we are not through. We are in this fight all the way because we understand the stakes.' 'I'm not here to criticize people who are trying to find their way to fight back against Donald Trump. Shoot, that's my whole point, that we've all got to find our way to fight back. Do I want to see us coordinate and do I want to see us be effective? Of course.' 'Did you think that was effective?' asked Swisher. 'Look, I did what I thought was the right response. I listened to every word, and when he said something I agreed with, which is funding Ukraine, I clapped, and I clapped loudly, and evidently got under his skin. Good night's work.' On the Trump-Musk dynamic, Warren believes the Tesla and SpaceX founder 'is beginning to pose a real threat' to the President. 'Elon sits next to him, stands next to him. Those pictures have burned in our brains where Elon stands in the Oval Office and presides. He is now the face of cancer research that doesn't go forward, of your neighbor, the veteran, who can't get his veteran benefits. Your mom, who's been moved out of her nursing home. Your auntie, who can't get anybody on the line at the Social Security office after they screwed up her check. He is now the face of it on behalf of Donald Trump. So, I think this is a way we wedge in.' Reports surfaced recently of a confrontational cabinet meeting where Marco Rubio got into it with Musk and the president allegedly told cabinet members that they, not Elon, would control firing in their portfolio. Swisher asked Warren why she had voted to confirm Rubio, a longtime colleague in the Senate. 'Because the Marco Rubio that I voted for is not the Marco Rubio of six weeks later. I'm just going to be blunt. I've worked with Marco Rubio. I've seen what Marco Rubio stood up for. Look, he was not my fave, but I figure, Republican Secretary of State, you can do a lot worse. I was wrong,' she said, noting the dismantling of USAID, which falls under his purview. She said Rubio 'bends the knee' to Trump, like Republicans in Congress, tech CEOs and others. 'This is money so little kids have access to medicine. This is money to stop AIDS. This is money to try to help starving people in the middle of a crisis. Marco Rubio used to be strong for that. Used to stand up for that sort of thing. This is someone who thought that the United States should play on an international stage.' Best of Deadline 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far The Best 7 New Movies On Netflix In March 2025 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Elizabeth Warren Blasts 'Co-Presidents' Donald Trump & Elon Musk, Defends Dems' Response As GOP 'Bends The Knee'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) blasted Marco Rubio as well as 'co-Presidents' Donald Trump and Elon Musk as she defended the haphazard response of Democratics at Trump's address last week during a SXSW live taping of podcast On With Kara Swisher. Musk is close to Trump and oversees the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. More from Deadline 'Real Time's Bill Maher Takes Swipe At Taylor Swift & Makes Her The Punchline Of Donald Trump Joke Donald Trump Appoints Fox News' Maria Bartiromo And Laura Ingraham To Kennedy Center Board Kennedy Center Confirms More Than 20 Show Cancellations Or Postponements Since Donald Trump's Takeover Warren likes to talk and does it well but, rather ominously, there was one question she declined to answer. 'Are you yourself scared of personal retribution?' Swisher asked. 'I mean, it's all fun and games with your name and stuff like that, but you yourself, you just answered a question about troops attacking Americans. Are you yourself fearful of your safety? 'Do you know the hardest part about the question you just asked is I don't want to publicly answer that question. That is the first question I've had that I just don't want to talk about,' Warren said. Swisher was referring to Trump's derisive nickname for Warren, Pocahontas, last aimed at her during his address last Tuesday night. Warren's had also responded to a query from the audience asking if she thinks Trump would use troops against civilians if there were large scale protests. 'I don't know,' she said. Swisher called the Democrats' response to Trump's speech Tuesday 'unfortunate.' 'Some of the members of Congress boycotted, but he couldn't really tell they were missing,' the host said. 'Congressman Al Green heckled and was escorted out of the chamber. Some Congresswomen wore pink. People held up signs that said, Save Medicaid, Musk Steals, False. There was some stony silence that seemed to annoy Trump. I felt it was not an effective protest.' Warren acknowledged room for improvement but defended her party and said criticism should be aimed squarely at the GOP 'It's the Republicans who are right now empowering Donald Trump, and they need to answer for it. It is the Republicans who are empowering Elon Musk. It is the Republicans who are evidently going along with a president or two co-presidents, who are not following the law, not following the Constitution, and going out of their ways to hurt the most vulnerable people in this country. Republicans need to be called out, and Democrats are increasingly doing that. Are we doing it enough? No. Are we doing it loudly enough? No. Have we done it as effectively as we need to? No. But we are not through. We are in this fight all the way because we understand the stakes.' 'I'm not here to criticize people who are trying to find their way to fight back against Donald Trump. Shoot, that's my whole point, that we've all got to find our way to fight back. Do I want to see us coordinate and do I want to see us be effective? Of course.' 'Did you think that was effective?' asked Swisher. 'Look, I did what I thought was the right response. I listened to every word, and when he said something I agreed with, which is funding Ukraine, I clapped, and I clapped loudly, and evidently got under his skin. Good night's work.' On the Trump-Musk dynamic, Warren believes the Tesla and SpaceX founder 'is beginning to pose a real threat' to the President. 'Elon sits next to him, stands next to him. Those pictures have burned in our brains where Elon stands in the Oval Office and presides. He is now the face of cancer research that doesn't go forward, of your neighbor, the veteran, who can't get his veteran benefits. Your mom, who's been moved out of her nursing home. Your auntie, who can't get anybody on the line at the Social Security office after they screwed up her check. He is now the face of it on behalf of Donald Trump. So, I think this is a way we wedge in.' Reports surfaced recently of a confrontational cabinet meeting where Marco Rubio got into it with Musk and the president allegedly told cabinet members that they, not Elon, would control firing in their portfolio. Swisher asked Warren why she had voted to confirm Rubio, a longtime colleague in the Senate. 'Because the Marco Rubio that I voted for is not the Marco Rubio of six weeks later. I'm just going to be blunt. I've worked with Marco Rubio. I've seen what Marco Rubio stood up for. Look, he was not my fave, but I figure, Republican Secretary of State, you can do a lot worse. I was wrong,' she said, noting the dismantling of USAID, which falls under his purview. She said Rubio 'bends the knee' to Trump, like Republicans in Congress, tech CEOs and others. 'This is money so little kids have access to medicine. This is money to stop AIDS. This is money to try to help starving people in the middle of a crisis. Marco Rubio used to be strong for that. Used to stand up for that sort of thing. This is someone who thought that the United States should play on an international stage.' Best of Deadline 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far The Best 7 New Movies On Netflix In March 2025 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery
